Teenage boy dies after being hit in Eureka intersection;tragedy further highlights concern over city's traffic safety

A teenage boy described as a dedicated student with a penchant for math has died of the injuries he suffered after being struck by a vehicle in a Eureka intersection over the weekend, less than two weeks after a Eureka High School girl was hit and injured in a crosswalk a few blocks away.

EPD Senior Traffic Officer Gary Whitmer said the investigating officers are still in the early stages of talking to witnesses. He said there are no indications of gross negligence or reports of speeding on the driver's part.

"There are still plenty of witnesses that still have to be talked to, and evidence still has to be collected," Whitmer said. "By no means are we assigning fault or anything at this point. We still have a lot of work to do."

A Eureka Police Department release states witnesses reported seeing the teenager standing stationary in the southbound lane of J Street -- at the Carson Street intersection, but outside of the crosswalk -- and looking down at his cellphone when he was hit.

Responding officers found the boy just after 10 p.m. suffering from life-threatening injuries. Crews with Humboldt Bay Fire and City Ambulance were called to assist. The boy was immediately transported to St. Joseph Hospital for treatment, and later flown out of the area for a higher level of care due to the extent of his injuries.

Officers were notified Sunday that the boy had died.

Arcata resident Anthony Kahn, whose son was close friends with the boy and was with him on the night of his death, said he is skeptical of the initial witness reports. Kahn said his son told him that a group of teens was walking from a birthday party to a nearby park when the boy was struck.

"He was one of the best and smartest kids I have ever known," Kahn said, adding that the boy was set to travel to Stanford in two weeks as the Humboldt County representative for a nationwide middle school mathematics competition.

Kahn said he wants to make sure the boy is not painted as reckless.

"As far as irresponsible teens go, he was the furthest thing from it," he said.

A rash of pedestrian accidents in Eureka has prompted a community push for greater pedestrian and traffic safety awareness.

Following the accident involving the Eureka High girl -- who was not seriously injured after being hit in a crosswalk by a suspected DUI driver at the intersection of Del Norte and I streets -- former student Alexandra Silva started an online petition "Pedestrian Safety on H and I Streets in Eureka California Awareness" calling for traffic calming measures near the campus.

So far, 161 residents have signed the petition, exceeding Silva's goal of 150 signatures.

Eureka has one of the highest traffic collision rankings in the state, according to 2010 statistics from the California Office of Traffic Safety's website, the most recent available.

According to the state website, Eureka was ranked No. 2 out of 93 similarly-sized California cities for total fatal and injury collisions, No. 3 for pedestrian collisions and No. 9 for bicycle collisions.

Less than 1,000 feet from where the boy was hit, a driver crashed into a street light, fence and tree at I and Buhne streets on Saturday night before driving away.

In a previous interview with the Times-Standard, city engineer Charles Rocklein said that city staff are aware of ongoing safety concerns along H and I streets.

Rocklein said the city is considering reducing the lanes on H and I from three to two. The city has been examining the feasibility, advantages and disadvantages of the change, and will present its findings during today's Transportation Safety Commission meeting at 2 p.m. in the council chambers.

Silva said she hopes community members make an effort to attend the meeting. The 19-year-old said she was saddened to hear about the boy who was killed over the weekend.

"I am very concerned about what is going on," Silva said. "I think more people need to be involved in this issue. I think the city needs to be more involved. What we need is more education, more awareness and more common sense."

The EPD is asking anyone with information about this case to call Traffic Officer Greg Hill at 441-4342 or Traffic Officer Tim Jones at 441-4109.

IF YOU GO:

What: Transportation Safety Commission meeting

Where: City Council chambers, 531 K St.

When: Meeting begins at 2 p.m. today

AT A GLANCE:

TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS

1. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.

2. Cross in the crosswalk.

3. Follow the pedestrian signal, not the overhead traffic signal.

4. Do not begin to cross the street once the red hand flashes on the pedestrian signal.

5. Wear visible clothing.

TIPS FOR MOTORISTS

1. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.

2. Be cautious in areas that draw children, such as around parks and schools.